Double injury blow for England
More bad news for Freddie
Sunday, 02, Sep 2007 04:54
Andrew Flintoff and Ravi Bopara are injury concerns for England ahead of this month's Twenty20 World Championship.
Flintoff missed today's fifth one-day international against India at Headingley after pain in his left ankle – the same ankle that has been operated on three times.
The 29-year-old will see a specialist and is hoping to rejoin the squad in time for Wednesday's ODI at the Oval.
Meanwhile, Bopara has suffered a suspected fracture dislocation of his right thumb after trying to take a catch in today's ODI in Leeds.
The 22-year-old all-rounder suffered the injury after trying to catch a drive from Gautam Gambhir off his own bowling.
If a scan confirms the fracture, Bopara may miss the Twenty20 World Championships in South Africa along with the tour of Sri Lanka.
Flintoff made his return to the England team in the ODI series against India but has continued to be hampered by injury problems.
The Lancashire all-rounder experienced discomfort in his ankle in Thursday's thrilling win at Old Trafford.
He missed the win over India at Edgbaston on Monday with a sore knee. A team spokesman said the two injuries were not related.
England begin their Twenty20 World Championship campaign on September 13th against Zimbabwe in Cape Town followed by a clash with Australia a day later.